Mayor Song: 'We will work closely with Gyeonggi Province on follow-up procedures'

Paju delivered a joint petition Friday to the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, calling for the designation of a peace economy special zone in the city.

The petition aims to build broad public and official support for the designation and to urge full government backing for the zone's establishment and operation. City officials say the designation is essential to realizing Paju's vision of becoming a hub for both peace and economic development, and to laying the economic groundwork for an anticipated era of inter-Korean reconciliation.

The city specifically asked the government to take an active interest in ensuring the special zone serves as a key base for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, and as a new engine of growth for the border region.

Paju Mayor Song Bae-chan, National Assembly members Yoon Hu-deok and Park Jeong, Paju City Council Speaker Choi Yu-gak, and five Gyeonggi Province assembly members — Park Eun-ju, Son Hui-jeong, Son Seong-ik, Kim Sun-hyeon and Lee Jong-chun — had jointly issued the petition on Sept. 22.

By visiting the two ministries in person to deliver the document, Paju reaffirmed its strong commitment to securing the special zone designation.

"The Paju peace economy special zone goes beyond simply balancing development in the border region — it is a national strategic project aimed at shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and the creation of a future innovation hub," Song said. "We will actively coordinate with Gyeonggi Province on the ongoing consultations with related ministries and the upcoming review by the development plan evaluation committee."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province submitted a formal application to the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in September for the designation of a peace economy special zone in the Paju district, and inter-ministry consultations are currently underway.

Under the two ministries' plan to designate peace economy special zones in 2026 and 2027, the final designation will be determined through deliberation and a vote by the Peace Economy Special Zone Committee, following inter-ministry consultations and an evaluation by the development plan review committee.


pjh@heraldcorp.com